Using Commuters to Power Gadgets

[gm0n3y]

[citation][nom]touchdowntexas13[/nom]Sure, but wouldn't that drive down the efficiency of the bus? Generators are just going to add resistance to the wheels as they spin.I think the point here is they want to create electricity from energy that is already being wasted. But I agree in that the amount of energy will be pretty small...[/citation]

I bet the added weight of the charging equipment would take more energy to move than would be created, especially since this would only work during peak times when people are using the handles. And of course the cost would probably never be recouped for the amount of energy created (assuming it was used to power the bus), it probably wouldn't even cover the cost of maintenance. Neat concept, but useless.

 

[sparsons6183]

I think it would be better utilized as a method to keep the lights on in the bus, or something else more utilitarian. Small amount of energy or not, making the bus more efficient sounds like a better idea to me.

 

[milktea]

They should design something for the kids to fiddle with for generating power. Kids have so much energy to release.

 

[mlopinto2k1]

[citation][nom]touchdowntexas13[/nom]Sure, but wouldn't that drive down the efficiency of the bus? Generators are just going to add resistance to the wheels as they spin.I think the point here is they want to create electricity from energy that is already being wasted. But I agree in that the amount of energy will be pretty small...[/citation]OK, well.. how about just one generator. Mounted at the end of the "train" hooked up to a gearing system to reduce resistance. One generator would in no way hinder the movement of the train. They weigh tons upon tons! Even with the braking system, it takes a good 1,000 feet to stop from full speed. So, get the train moving, then engage the generators... let them charge batteries. Whatever, still better then this cheap crap.

 

[Guest]

why not generate power from the static of people bumping into each other??

 

[thejerk]

This should be implemented in one of those, every-little-bit-helps green energy installations. The cost most likely far outweighs the benefits with this tech alone. Coupled with other techniques such as covering the car roofs with solar panels, regenerative braking, or using the vertical motion of the train's suspension to create electricity with piezoelectric tech would certainly have a mass effect.

 

[zodiacfml]

waste. there are already trains that use generators during braking which is a lot of electricity.

 

[falchard]

I can see it now. Leaving rail lines in dis-repair in order to generate more electricity.

 

[victomofreality]

Why don't they just change the buses over to electric and then use this along with the breaks to keep the bus running longer?

This idea also reminds me of the US armies power generating back pack... energy is all around us all we need to do is learn to harness it.